KECS Leadership & Execution Team
Operators, advisors, and specialists aligned to deliver structured, real-world execution.
Leadership
Donald E.J. “Joe” Jacobson Jr.
Founder & CEO,
Knight Eagle Consulting Services
Troy Friedman
Chief Operations Officer
Senior Executive Consultants
Dr. Davis McAlister
Senior Executive Consultant
Dr. Curtis Luke
Senior Executive Consultant
Dr. Masha Malka
Senior Strategic Transformation Advisor
Jennifer Speciale
Senior Executive Consultant
Strategic Partners / Advisors
John Hawkins
AI Systems Consultant
Ephraim “Eph” Enoveso
Cybersecurity Systems Consultant
Operations & Specialists
Justin Schultz
Digital Initiatives Consultant
Mary Onah
Operations & Digital Systems Coordinator
Donald E.J. “Joe” Jacobson Jr.
Donald E.J. “Joe” Jacobson Jr. is a veteran operator and strategic advisor with more than four decades of leadership across military, nonprofit, and private-sector environments. As Founder and CEO of Knight Eagle Consulting Services (KECS), he leads the firm’s direction, client engagements, and execution standards across all markets.
Joe’s background includes military service, operational leadership, and building organizations in complex, high-pressure environments. He is known for a direct, hands-on approach—working alongside leadership teams to stabilize operations, align structure, and drive execution that holds over time.
His work spans launching behavioral health facilities, scaling multi-million-dollar programs, improving revenue performance, and designing operating frameworks that support growth and accountability. Across KECS engagements, his focus is on turning strategy into execution—ensuring that plans are implemented, not just presented.
Joe’s experience includes work across healthcare, public-sector initiatives, and private organizations, with a strong focus on environments where operational pressure, compliance, and growth intersect. He is also actively involved in veteran-focused initiatives, including building a national pro bono legal network and supporting the development of structured Veteran Service Office (VSO) environments through his leadership with Warrior Rescue.
He holds a degree in Public Service and Community Solutions, reinforcing his work across governance, systems development, and organizational strategy.
Joe is the author of Mission Retain: A Step-by-Step Guide to Veteran Retention in Business, a practical framework for organizations seeking to recruit, retain, and develop veteran talent.
At KECS, Joe sets the standard for how the firm operates—boots-on-the-ground, execution-focused, and accountable for results.
All engagements are structured and delivered through Knight Eagle Consulting Services as part of defined client initiatives.
- Deeply rooted in tradition, family, and faith.
Troy Friedman
Troy Friedman is a seasoned operations leader with more than 15 years of experience working with veterans, Native American communities, and underserved populations across mental health, housing, and case management environments. His background spans nonprofit organizations, consulting, and public-sector initiatives, where he has led programs that improve outcomes and strengthen community infrastructure.
At Knight Eagle Consulting Services, Troy serves as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing operational strategy, service delivery, and internal execution. He is responsible for ensuring that KECS engagements are structured, resourced, and delivered with consistency, discipline, and accountability across all client environments.
Troy’s experience includes serving as Director of Operations for The Reveille Foundation, where he led mental health services, housing programs, and community outreach initiatives supporting veteran populations. As Executive Director of Joint Healing Operations LLC, he managed Behavioral Health Residential Facilities, overseeing budgets, staffing, marketing, and patient case management within regulated environments.
His public service includes serving as Commissioner for the City of Tempe Veterans Commission, contributing to policy and program development supporting military families. He has also supported higher education and veteran transition programs, including leadership roles within Maricopa County Community Colleges, Rio Salado College, and the University of Phoenix.
Troy’s foundation of service includes time in the United States Air Force as a Forward Air Controller and Visual Information Specialist, bringing a mission-focused, disciplined approach to operations and leadership.
All engagements are structured and delivered through Knight Eagle Consulting Services as part of defined client initiatives.
At KECS, Troy is responsible for maintaining operational continuity, aligning internal execution with client objectives, and ensuring that strategy translates into measurable results on the ground.
- A driving force in mental health advocacy, housing initiatives, and holistic case management.
Dr. Davis McAlister
Dr. Davis McAlister is a senior executive consultant with more than two decades of experience supporting organizations across healthcare, education, corporate, and military environments. His background spans leadership development, organizational strategy, training systems, and performance optimization, providing a comprehensive perspective on how leaders and teams operate under pressure.
Dr. McAlister’s experience includes clinical operations, institutional training, executive advisory, and large-scale leadership program design. With a foundation that includes military intelligence and leadership environments, he brings a disciplined, mission-focused approach to every engagement—emphasizing clarity, accountability, and execution.
At Knight Eagle Consulting Services, Dr. McAlister serves as a Senior Executive Consultant, working across multiple client engagements and KECS packages. His role focuses on strengthening leadership effectiveness, building resilient organizational structures, and aligning people, systems, and strategy to support sustained performance and scale.
His areas of expertise include:
- Executive decision-making and leadership effectiveness
- Organizational development and performance systems
- Training and learning architecture for leaders and teams
- Talent acquisition strategy, pipeline development, and succession planning
- Workforce resilience, accountability, and execution alignment
Dr. McAlister works directly with senior leaders and leadership teams to identify gaps, clarify priorities, and implement practical frameworks that translate strategy into measurable results. His work emphasizes real-world application—ensuring leadership development and training initiatives are embedded into daily operations rather than existing as stand-alone programs.
All engagements are structured and delivered through Knight Eagle Consulting Services as part of defined client initiatives.
Across healthcare systems, corporate organizations, educational institutions, and mission-driven environments, Dr. McAlister is known for integrating high-level strategy with actionable systems that support growth, scalability, and long-term organizational health.
At KECS, he is a key contributor to leadership, performance, and workforce development initiatives—reinforcing the firm’s commitment to execution, not abstraction.
Committed to empowering organizations to operate with clarity, purpose, and resilience.
- Committed to empowering organizations to operate with clarity, purpose, and resilience.
Dr. Curtis Luke
Dr. Curtis Luke is a senior executive consultant and operator with more than two decades of experience helping organizations stabilize operations, improve execution, and scale with discipline. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Curtis brings a combination of academic rigor and hands-on leadership across private sector, nonprofit, and public-facing organizations.
Curtis holds a Doctorate in Business Administration and a Master’s in Public Administration, grounding his advisory work in both operational execution and governance. Since founding his first firm in 2001, he has worked alongside founders, executives, and leadership teams to move organizations out of stagnation and into sustained performance.
At Knight Eagle Consulting Services, Curtis serves as a Senior Executive Consultant, working across multiple client engagements and KECS packages. His focus is on turning strategy into execution—helping leaders clarify priorities, align teams, and build operating structures that support growth, accountability, and financial discipline.
Curtis’s areas of expertise include:
- Organizational and operational turnaround
- Executive decision-making and performance optimization
- Financial discipline, cash flow awareness, and execution alignment
- Scaling structures for small to mid-market organizations
- Leadership effectiveness within complex operating environments
All engagements are structured and delivered through Knight Eagle Consulting Services as part of defined client initiatives.
Curtis has supported organizations ranging from early-stage ventures to established enterprises, including community-based institutions and national organizations. His approach is direct, structured, and execution-focused—designed to reduce noise, eliminate hesitation, and drive measurable outcomes.
In addition to his consulting work, Curtis is a published author of five books on business execution, leadership performance, and financial empowerment. He has also been recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Entrepreneurship and Business Development, where he shares practical insight on leadership, operations, and growth.
At KECS, Curtis is known for bringing clarity where organizations are stalled, discipline where execution has drifted, and momentum where leadership requires decisive forward movement.
It’s not about waiting for the perfect moment—it’s about making the most of the moment you have.
- It's not about waiting for the perfect moment—it's about making the most of the moment you have.
Dr. Masha Malka
Dr. Masha Malka is a Senior Strategic Transformation & Organizational Development Advisor at Knight Eagle Consulting Services (KECS), bringing more than 25 years of international experience helping organizations navigate growth, transformation, leadership challenges, and organizational complexity.
Masha works directly with CEOs, executive teams, and organizational leaders to strengthen leadership alignment, improve communication, build organizational readiness, and ensure that strategic initiatives are successfully adopted and sustained throughout the organization.
Her experience spans North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, where she has supported organizations through periods of modernization, restructuring, cultural transformation, and large-scale organizational change. Her work combines strategic thinking, executive advisory, organizational change management, leadership development, and a deep understanding of human behavior during periods of uncertainty and growth.
One of her most notable assignments involved supporting transformational initiatives within major sovereign banking institutions in Uzbekistan in partnership with the Asian Development Bank. Her work included leadership alignment, executive coaching, governance support, communication systems, change readiness strategy, and the development of a 700-person organizational change network supporting more than 10,000 employees across 200+ branches.
Masha specializes in:
• Organizational Transformation
• Leadership Alignment
• Executive Advisory
• Organizational Change Management
• Executive Coaching
• Culture & Communication Alignment
• Change Readiness & Adoption
• Cross-Cultural Leadership
• Strategic Facilitation
• Workforce Engagement
She is fluent in English and Russian and has advised leaders across government, financial services, education, healthcare, and private sector organizations. In addition to her consulting work, she is a bestselling author, international speaker, facilitator, and former member of the Forbes Coaches Council.
At KECS, Masha helps organizations ensure that growth, transformation, and strategic change translate into measurable execution, stronger leadership alignment, and sustainable organizational performance.
All engagements are structured and delivered through Knight Eagle Consulting Services as part of defined client initiatives.
- ...more than 25 years of international experience helping organizations navigate growth, transformation, leadership challenges, and organizational complexity.
Jennifer Speciale
Jennifer Speciale is a Senior Executive Consultant at Knight Eagle Consulting Services, supporting senior leaders and organizations operating in high-stakes growth and transformation environments.
With a background spanning executive advisory, talent strategy, and organizational transformation, Jennifer has worked with global firms including McKinsey & Company, Amazon, Google, Bloomberg, and Indeed. Her experience includes building leadership teams, supporting executive transitions, and shaping organizational structures in complex, fast-scaling environments.
At Knight Eagle Consulting Services, Jennifer works across client engagements to strengthen leadership effectiveness, executive decision-making, and organizational alignment. Her focus is on helping leaders operate with clarity, build influence, and align their teams and structures to support performance and growth.
Jennifer is also the Founder of Speciale Executive Leadership, where she has partnered with over 100 senior leaders globally to support high-stakes transitions, promotions, and executive positioning. She has developed proprietary frameworks focused on executive presence, narrative development, and strategic visibility, now used by leaders at the VP and C-suite level.
Her areas of focus with KECS include:
- Executive leadership development and decision-making
- Organizational alignment and performance optimization
- Leadership presence, influence, and communication strategy
- Talent strategy and leadership pipeline development
- Executive transition and high-stakes role positioning
All engagements are structured and delivered through Knight Eagle Consulting Services as part of defined client initiatives.
Jennifer is known for helping leaders operate with clarity under pressure, aligning presence, decision-making, and execution to support measurable outcomes in complex environments.
- Her experience includes building leadership teams, supporting executive transitions, and shaping organizational structures in complex, fast-scaling environments.
John Hawkins
John Hawkins is an experienced AI systems advisor and senior operator with more than 25 years of experience working with organizations on data-driven systems, automation, and applied technology execution.
At Knight Eagle Consulting Services, John supports AI360™ initiatives in a defined, technical capacity, focusing on AI systems architecture, feasibility, and implementation. His work helps organizations move beyond experimentation and into operational AI systems that integrate directly into real workflows and decision environments.
John’s background includes leading a $100M+ operating division, serving as Chief Strategy Officer through an acquisition, and supporting more than 250 organizations ranging from emerging firms to large enterprises. His experience spans business intelligence, systems design, workflow optimization, and technology-enabled transformation.
His areas of focus with KECS include:
- AI systems architecture and implementation
- Feasibility assessment and applied AI use cases
- AI copilots, agents, and personas integrated into operating workflows
- Automation frameworks aligned to execution and scale
- System design grounded in real-world operational constraints
All engagements are structured and delivered through Knight Eagle Consulting Services as part of defined client initiatives.
Advisor Clinic Participation
John also participates in KECS Advisor Clinic 1:1 sessions, providing structured, time-bound strategic advising on AI strategy, architecture, feasibility, and systems decisions. These engagements are delivered as single sessions or short, defined series and are designed to provide clarity, informed judgment, and decision support—not open-ended or ongoing advisory authority.
John is known for a direct, practical approach grounded in operator experience and systems thinking, helping organizations make disciplined, execution-ready decisions around AI adoption.
AI only matters when it works in the real world. That is the standard we build to.
- AI only matters when it works in the real world. That is the standard we build to.
Ephraim “Eph” Enoveso
Ephraim “Eph” Enoveso is an experienced cybersecurity and network architecture specialist with a global career spanning the United States, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. He brings deep expertise in designing, securing, and scaling mission-critical infrastructure for organizations operating in high-risk, high-compliance environments, including finance, data centers, enterprise IT, and regulated industries.
With a foundation in electronics engineering and extensive hands-on experience, Eph has architected resilient network and security environments for organizations ranging from small and mid-market firms to multinational enterprises. His work consistently emphasizes uptime, risk mitigation, regulatory alignment, and operational continuity—ensuring organizations can grow securely without compromising trust or performance.
Eph’s background includes supporting Security Operations Center (SOC) and Network Operations Center (NOC) environments delivering managed security services, incident response, and threat mitigation for critical systems. He is particularly skilled in implementing cybersecurity frameworks, governance models, and compliance programs that strengthen organizational readiness for audits, enterprise partnerships, and regulated operating environments.
A distinguishing strength of Eph’s work is his ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable insight. He helps leadership teams understand cybersecurity risk in practical terms and align security architecture with operational priorities and business objectives.
At Knight Eagle Consulting Services, Eph supports Cyber360™ initiatives in a defined, technical capacity, focusing on cybersecurity architecture, infrastructure security, risk management, and compliance readiness.
All engagements are structured and delivered through Knight Eagle Consulting Services as part of defined client initiatives.
Advisor Clinic Participation
Eph also participates in KECS Advisor Clinic 1:1 sessions, providing structured, time-bound cybersecurity advisory to support informed decision-making. These engagements are delivered as single sessions or short, defined series and are designed to provide clarity and decision support—not open-ended or ongoing advisory authority.
- Skilled in implementing cybersecurity frameworks, governance models, and compliance programs
Justin Schultz
Justin Schultz is a digital strategist and web systems consultant focused on helping organizations improve their online presence through structure, clarity, and performance-driven design.
At Knight Eagle Consulting Services, Justin supports digital initiatives in a defined capacity, focusing on website architecture, user experience, SEO alignment, and digital strategy. His work ensures that digital platforms are not just visually strong, but structured to support real business outcomes, including visibility, engagement, and conversion.
As the founder of Bearnedheart Web Services, Justin works with organizations to design and optimize websites that align with business objectives and growth strategy. His approach combines technical execution with practical insight, delivering digital audits, structured buildouts, and ongoing optimization tied directly to performance.
Justin brings over a decade of leadership experience across operational, retail, and community-based environments. His background includes leading teams, managing programs, and building systems that improve both performance and user experience.
His areas of focus with KECS include:
- Website architecture and user experience design
- SEO alignment and digital visibility strategy
- Digital audits and performance improvement planning
- Conversion-focused structure and content flow
- Ongoing optimization aligned to growth objectives
All engagements are structured and delivered through Knight Eagle Consulting Services as part of defined client initiatives.
Justin is known for a practical, structured approach to digital systems, ensuring that websites and platforms support the way organizations actually operate and grow.
- Justin’s leadership is deeply rooted in his faith, which serves as the cornerstone of his personal and professional life.
Mary Onah
Mary Onah is the Operations and Digital Systems Coordinator at Knight Eagle Consulting Services, supporting CRM management, digital systems optimization, onboarding operations, and internal workflows that drive execution across the firm.
She plays a key role in maintaining the integrity of KECS’s systems, organizing pipeline visibility, and ensuring smooth coordination across both client-facing and internal initiatives. Her work supports operational consistency and helps keep engagements structured, tracked, and aligned.
With a background in conversion-focused communication, workflow design, and digital system integration, Mary brings a structured, detail-oriented approach to CRM hygiene, automation support, and operational readiness. She also supports brand and business development efforts through social media coordination, digital asset management, and campaign execution.
Mary is currently advancing her technical capabilities through Go High Level Administrator certification, further strengthening KECS’s internal infrastructure and delivery systems.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacology from the University of Calabar.
All engagements are structured and delivered through Knight Eagle Consulting Services as part of defined client initiatives.
- She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacology from the University of Calabar.
